Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins

West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources muzzleloader deer hunting season will run from Dec. 16–22.
The Division of Natural Resources has reminded hunters to purchase an RM or RRM stamp before the season starts if they want a chance to harvest an additional deer during the season. 
“West Virginia’s muzzleloader season offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy one last hunting adventure in our beautiful outdoors, fill your tags and make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Brett McMillion, DNR director. “We encourage all of our deer hunters to get out into the woods and take advantage of this special season.”
Hunters are also reminded that bucks harvested during the muzzleloader season are eligible for entry into the DNR’s Big Buck Photo Contest.
Hunters can to submit a photo with a buck they harvested during a 2024 hunting season along with a short account of their hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Submissions may be sent to WVdnr.gov/photocontest.
During West Virginia’s muzzleloader season, antlered deer are legal in all counties that have a buck firearms season, and deer of either sex are legal in all counties or parts thereof that have a Class N/NN antlerless season.
Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties are closed to all firearms deer hunting, including the muzzleloader deer season. 
In Berkeley, Greenbrier (south portion), Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral (east portion), Monroe, Morgan and Wood counties, hunters are required to take an antlerless deer within the county, during any regular deer season open to antlerless deer hunting, before harvesting a second antlered deer within the county.
Hunters are also reminded that beginning with the 2024 deer seasons, no more than two antlered bucks can be harvested during the regular deer seasons and the 2025 Mountaineer Heritage Season combined, except that three antlered deer may be taken in a West Virginia CWD Containment Area or by Class XS license holders.
All hunters afield during this week are required to wear a minimum of 400 square inches of blaze orange. 
A single-shot muzzleloading pistol or rifle, having a bore diameter of .38 caliber or larger, using an encapsulated propellant charge that loads from the breech and the projectile is loaded from the muzzle, is legal for use during the muzzleloader deer season.